{hirshfield’s designer feature: meet greg!}

Hirshfield’s Design Studio in Minneapolis is home to not only some of the most delicious eye candy the interior design world has to offer, but it is also home to some of the most experienced and creative design professionals in the Twin Cities. Those design professionals being Kathy, Greg, Julia and Meropi. All of them are more than happy to answer your design questions, but we thought it would be fun to turn the spotlight on them and ask them a few questions!

Today, get to know Greg, one of the talented clerks at Hirshfield’s Design Studio. Like Kathy, Greg’s name has also shown up in a few of our blog posts (check out 50′s Revival and What’s New at Hirshfield’s Design Studio in Minneapolis). Greg admits that he somewhat “stumbled” into the design industry, but after having been here for 22 years we think his stumbling was pretty accurate!

How long have you worked at Hirshfield’s Design Studio?
I’ve been at the Design Studio for 22 years but I’ve been with Hirshfield’s for a total of 25 years. Although it doesn’t feel like it has been that long!

{friday finds: fabrics }

Here are some fun fabrics that caught my eye at Hirshfield’s Design Resource showroom. Offerings from Kravet, Duralee, and Thibaut to name a few.

{friday finds: as seen in hirshfield’s design studio}

Julia (Hirshfield’s Design Resource) loves her design magazines and design books. She has a very keen eye and will dissect every inch of a room, pointing out pieces the showroom has on the floor, had on the floor, or a piece ordered by a customer. Here’s a small offering from the showroom as seen in some of Julia’s favorite magazines and catalogs.

Duralee

This retro Duralee fabric, as seen in the Crate & Barrel catalog, arrived in the mail this week.

Recessed by Given Campbell

Recessed wallcovering as seen in House Beautiful, September 2011 issue.

Natural Curiosities artwork as seen in Lonny July/August 2011 and House Beautiful September 2011. I know, not the same piece, but both from Natural Curiosities. When you find the piece you cannot live without, and there are many, call Hirshfield’s Design Resource and they will be happy to assist you.

 Antlers as seen in Lonny July/August 2011. Every shape and size have been spotted in design magazines; ours happen to be gazelle.

Fresno 020

Benjamin Moore Fresno 020 as seen in House Beautiful September 2011.

In addition to Julia, Kathy, Greg, and Meropi work at the showroom. They are available to help designers and their customers, and the showroom is open to the public. One designer refers to the showroom staff as her “secret weapon.” That’s a nice complement, but we don’t want to be “a secret.” Spread the word. Stop in and check out Julia’s “as seen in” Hirshfield’s Design Studio. And while you’re there, put the very talented staff to work on your projects.

{don’t be beige}

July is National Anti-Boredom Month – a month that celebrates all things bold and exciting. Basically all things that are not “beige.” But beige doesn’t have to be boring. If done correctly, beige can be an interesting color that serves as the perfect backdrop for the rest of your design.

Although beige is synonymous with “dull” in most instances, when it comes to color, beige helps keep things exciting. An accent wall of deep plum or fiery red would not be nearly as dramatic without anchoring neutral walls. And how would the pops of color offered by your accessories “pop” without an unassuming backdrop?

House of Turquoise

The purpose of neutrals is not always just to offset other colors. Mixing tones and textures of neutrals can create a fresh, clean look.

House Beautiful

{friday finds: to market, to market}

Well, what do you think? Are you loving these authentic suzanis as much as I am?

 If you are not familiar with suzanis, a little background can be found in this post from January 2010. What I did not know is that the pattern is drawn on a large piece of background fabric, which is then cut into pieces and given to many women to embroider. When the individual pieces are sewn back together, chances are they will not line up, which explains the wonky seams, inconsistent colors, and motifs. You can see examples of these inconsistencies in each suzani pictured above. A large piece made by many women could take two to five years to complete. You have to appreciate and applaud the workmanship that go into these beautiful pieces.

Greg Yaghsezian (Hirshfield’s Design Studio) was at High Point for spring market and all the goodies he ordered are starting to trickle into the showroom. In addition to the suzanis, accessories, and kilim pillows have already arrived. Looking forward to seeing the furniture he selected for the showroom.

The show room is open 8:30-5:00 Monday thru Friday and is located one block south of International Market Square. All are welcome. The showroom has the best wallcovering library in town. Knowledgable and talented staff. Many of the furniture lines carried at the show room are exclusive to Hirshfield’s. Oh, and I’m told,  the best rug selections in town. Stop by and see for yourself.

{kudos to kathy!}

This is an email we received from Amy, a Hirshfield’s customer who worked with Kathy over at Hirshfield’s Design Resource. Kudos to Kathy on exceptional customer service, and thanks to Amy for the fantastic email!

Hi Kathy,

Thought you might be interested in a painting update.

I finally got around to painting our family room over the weekend, and as you promised, the Ginger Snap looks incredible in there!  So incredible in fact, that when my thirteen year old son (who as you can imagine doesn’t care much about home furnishings) saw it he said it looks like it came out of a magazine.  It’s truly amazing the way doing a dramatic shade can transform the whole vibe of the house!  Additionally, the way that all of the newly painted rooms flow from one to another just proves what a valuable service you’ve provided. (And don’t worry, I’ve been telling all my friends about it.)

So far I’ve gotten the kitchen, dining and family room taken care of as per your plan, and hope to get the living room wrapped up by the end of next week.  Depending on my stamina level, I may even tackle the stairs and upper bathroom before school gets out, or (more likely) may end up waiting for a few boring days in the summer.

Thank you so much for all your help and patience–you are so good at this!!!

Thanks again,
Amy 

{green design}

With Earth Day only days away, now is the time to think about the ways in which your home can be more environmentally friendly. April 22 marks the 41st observation of this event, designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for nature and the environment. Bringing elements from nature indoors is one way to design a green home. Many products used in houses today are also eco-friendly, with low toxins that are good for both your home and Mother Earth.

Bamboo blinds and shades are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Generally speaking, woven woods are better than classic wood because they are considered renewable resources. Indeed, a bamboo tree grows hundreds of times faster than an oak tree. This is what determined manufacturers of window coverings to take advantage of bamboo, reeds and grasses in creating special lines of eco-friendly products.

You can also opt for bamboo flooring over hardwood. The flooring can be installed with formaldehyde-free glues.

Hirshfield’s offers eco-friendly wallcoverings for home and business settings. EnVision, ECORE, and REcore all provide stylish options made from recycled materials and are low VOC (or volatile organic compound) emitting.

We also have a wide range of colors in our various lines of “green” paint, which include the top quality of Benjamin Moore and Hirshfield’s paint you know and trust. Find a variety of stains and indoor and outdoor paints at any of our Hirshfield’s locations, and be sure to recycle your unused and unwanted paint properly.

Hunter Douglas is one of the major players in the window treatments industry who take pride in protecting the environment while not giving up on quality and comfort. The Provenance woven wood shades offer a natural look, the warmth of nature inside your home, combined with excellent durability and with the latest technology available, in order to maximize the comfort.

The Hunter Douglas Provenance woven wood shades are eco-friendly in more than one way. Not only are they manufactured from renewable resources, but they also feature excellent thermal insulation properties and an outstanding solar heat control which lead to reduced energy consumption for heating or cooling the house. These insulating qualities are emphasized by adding the optional liner provided by Hunter Douglas with this line of window shades.

Additional tips you can implement around your house to help save our planet include making sure your home has proper insulation and buying and installing Energy Star appliances and windows. Finally, strategically plant shade trees and shrubs around your house to save energy. In summer, trees and plants can blocks infrared radiation that would otherwise enter and warm your home, while in winter, bare branches let the radiation come through for added warmth.

{friday finds: osborne & little and designers guild spring 2011}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the 2011 spring preview of wallcoverings released from Designers Guild and Osborne & Little.

The Designers Guild book Linnaeus (Swedish botanist from the 1700′s) features digital floral prints, a line drawn topiary pattern, a damask variation with a hint of color, and an all-over floral pattern. Will this topiary pattern be the new Cole & Son Woods pattern? Available in 11 colorways. I do love the fabric on the settee in the second photo; now that is a fabric which makes a statement. Designers Guild Around the World wallcovering and fabrics are showcased in the two children’s rooms. So bright and cheerful looking.

The last grouping of photos are from Osborne & Little’s Grand Tour book…A collection of wallpapers inspired by the artistic and architectural treasures of Italy, especially those of Venice, as discovered by aristocratic young Englishmen on the Grand Tour of Europe. Storks, dogs, and loggias, are a few of the 14 patterns in this subtle collection.

For your viewing pleasure these books are available at Hirshfield’s Design Resource. The wallcovering books in our retail locations are varied. Call first before you make a trip to your local Hirshfield’s store.

Our sales staff are noticing an increase in customers coming into the stores and purchasing wallcoverings. Higher end wallcoverings are receiving the most play. After three years of decor magazines telling us that “wallcovering is back,” I think they are right.

{cozy colors}

Cozy. Snug. Comfortable. Warm.

Your home should be synonymous with all of these words – a place where you feel comfortable, a place to relax and a place to get away from the craziness of your day-to-day life. So how do you bring a little extra coziness into your space? Read on!

Color and texture add instant warmth to a room. Bold reds or a rusty orange are popular color choices. If you’re looking for a more dramatic look, consider going tone-on-tone, creating vertical or horizontal stripes. You could use different shades of the same color, or paint one color in a glossy sheen and one in a matte finish.

 

Lava Lamp / Wild Rose

Textured wall coverings are a great compliment or alternative to paint. Grasscloth and raffia wall coverings have great natural texture. Kathy from Hirshfield’s Design Resource says about textured wall coverings, “It puts an imaginary blanket around you. But you don’t have to use it everywhere—one well-chosen accent wall can transform a room.”

Phillip Jeffries

Texture can also be brought into a room through fabrics. Rich velvets make for dramatic window coverings and can cozy up a couch. Faux fur accent pillows or rugs also add warmth.

House Beautiful

Creative Accents

Make your home a cozy, private retreat with custom shutters from Hunter Douglas. Custom shutters are a classic and charming addition to any room.

Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas

We all know winter can last awhile here in Minnesota! So stay cozy and warm inside no matter how long Old Man Winter sticks around!

{glamorganic}

Who says using natural materials means your color palette has to be limited to beige, dark beige and brown? Kathy from Hirshfield’s Design Resource says you can be organic and glamorous at the same time – Glamorganic!

This trend is all about taking natural materials and “glamming” them up. For example, glass is a common natural design element. But have you ever thought of putting glass beads on your wall? This glass bead wallcovering from Enchanting is PVC-free, formaldehyde-free and heavy-metal free and is absolutely glamorous!

Enchanting

You can also add a natural touch to your home with hair-on-hide rugs, faux fur pillows and accessories that highlight natural scenes. Ostrich pillows are a fun and unexpected way to use natural elements in a glamorous way.

For more tips on how to bring Glamorganic into your home, check out Kathy on KARE 11 News @ 4 where she shares even more Glamorganic trends!